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Following 7 Investigations, lawmakers move to stop county leaders from lobbying
By Heather Catallo at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· June 25, 2026
· 4 min read
Theres a new effort in Lansing to prevent county officials from lobbying other local leaders as their outside jobs. Watch Heather Catallo's video report: Following 7 Investigations, lawmakers move to stop county leaders from lobbyingFor the last year, the 7 Investigators have been exposing storie...
Key takeaway My work with Sheetz or any of my clients is completely separate from my role as a County Commissioner, Woodward told 7 Investigator Heather Catallo during an interview in August 2025.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The move to prevent county officials from lobbying other local leaders has significant implications for the Detroit area, where the influence of county commissioners can shape development projects and business decisions. In the case of Oakland County Commission Chair Dave Woodward, his outside consulting business has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly with regards to the expansion of the Sheetz gas station chain in southeast Michigan. The fact that Woodward has been appearing at local city council meetings on behalf of Sheetz and making introductions to Oakland County officials has sparked concerns about the blurring of lines between his public role and private business interests. If the legislation passes, it would likely impact how county officials like Woodward interact with local governments and businesses, potentially leading to greater transparency and accountability in the region.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Theres a new effort in Lansing to prevent county officials from lobbying other local leaders as their outside jobs. Watch Heather Catallo's video report: Following 7 Investigations, lawmakers move to stop county leaders from lobbyingFor the last year, the 7 Investigators have been exposing storie...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Heather Catallo at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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